Ukraine: Defence
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure the defence sector can learn from Ukraine’s operational experience in countering drones, missile threats and electronic warfare.
Answered by Al Carns
The Ministry of Defence continually assesses how Ukrainian battlefield innovation can inform the UK's own capabilities. The conflict has shown the need to accelerate the learn-adapt cycle, with concepts moving from design to battlefield use within weeks.
The UK is seeking to identify lessons driven by rapid collection and analysis of frontline data. Forward technical expertise and open dialogue with operators will allow industry to innovate and scale production more quickly.
There is acknowledgement of the importance of integrating UAS with traditional fires rather than seeing them as replacements. Ukraine's experience also highlights that operational surprise remains achievable through robust operational security and deception; the need for resilient Integrated Air and Missile Defence built on multiple effectors; and the imperative to train for contested and degraded electromagnetic environments.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →